Fat Transfer: Q&A
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Facial Fat Graft Feels Hard Post-procedure
I had an analogous fat transfer to the upper cheeks and orbital region. The fat feels hard like a rock underneath the skin. Is this normal? Should I massage it? I can also feel uneven areas on the outmost region of the cheeks. Does hardness indicate that the fat cells died in the process? What should I expect from here?
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21 Doctor Answers |
Asked by
NoPlasticFlower
in New York
+6
Firmness After Fat Grafting
Firmness in grafted fat tissue can occur on occasion postoperatively, but fat that feels “hard as a rock” is distinctly unusual. In most cases, facial areas that have received autologous fat grafts should feel soft and supple, although there may be some mild to moderate ‘firmness’ for the first week or two as the relatively modest postoperative edema (swelling) subsides. Also, the feeling of firmness may vary with the amount of fat grafted into a given area. 2-3cc of...
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+6
Palpable fat grafts after surgery
Early after surgery, almost every graft becomes firm to some extent. This is due to the healing around the graft and the metabolism away of, or encapsulation of, dead tissue.
With fat injection, many of the cells die before they are even injected. I believe this is inherent in the fat injection process where living cells are harvested under a vacuum and then injected. Our histoloogy studies have also confirmed this.
So in the first several months after surgery, this is normal.
If at six...
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+5
Depends on the timing
FAT GRAFTING aka LIPOINJECTION aka AUTOLOGOUS FAT INJECTION
The massage should be guided by your surgeon as opionions vary.
You did not specify the timing of your procedure as this can be important in the evolution of the post operative findings.
Firmness as Dr. Law documented can vary as a result of :
area injected i.e. cheek bone/ tear trough fat will feel firmer than cheek hollows
volume injected
amount of associated bleeding bruising
degree of "fat take" survival
Firmness is...
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+4
Hardness/ Firmness after Fat Transfer to Face is not common
With regards to FAT TRANSFER to face these are important points to consider;
Some degree of hard or lumpy region within the area of transplanted fat can happen after procedure.
It is important to be evaluated by your surgeon. He should guide you as to the degree, intensity and frequency of massaging.
Unless there is granuloma or infection the hardness should resolve shortly.
Hope this helped.
Dr. Sajjadian
+4
Hard/lumpy areas after facial fat transfer
It is entirely normal - and expected - to feel firm/hard/lumpy areas for the first few months after fat transfer to the face. These islands of swollen tissue will soften with time.
Visible lumps, on the other hand, are more tricky. Your surgeon's judgment will help decide how they should be managed: massage, steroid injection, or other treatments.
Facial fat transfer, artfully done, is a problem that creates happy patients and good results. Try to weather the uncertainty of...
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+3
Facial Fat Graft Feels Hard Post-procedure
After autologous fat graft to the face is not unusual to experience some harness of the area. This can be secondarily to scar tissue. However, you should be evaluated by your surgeon because fat necrosis initially will present as a hard area
+3
Results after fat grafting to face
Fat grafting to face is a very effective and powerful procedure. This is performed through very small needles and by adding a drop of fat at a time. When we transplanted fat from one area of the body to the other we can expect approximately 20% of this fat melt away. It sounds as if you are in the middle of the healing process. You should expect the fat to become progressively more soft until you reach your final result at about 6 to 8 months. At that time, if you continue to have areas...
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+3
Fat graft take
Fat grafting is a nice way to provide autologous tissue augmentation. Hardness can mean alot of diffirent things at different times. If it si early post-op, it may mean nothing. If it is longer than say the first few weeks, it may represent scar tissue or grafts that have not taken well and are undergoing fat necrosis and resorption.
+3
Fat grafted takes on the qualities of nearest tissue
Fat grafting is an excellent way to bring youth to your face. Losing volume plays a huge part in the aging process. Hence, replacing this fat to the face can reverse a lot of the aging that has occurred within the face.
One rule in fat grafting is that fat will take on the characteristics of the tissue that it is placed near or on. Hence the fat that is placed on your cheek bone will feel like bone, etc. During the post procedure phase, however, the fat will feel hard due to the...
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+3
Is "the orbital region" the eyelids?
If you are referring to fat injections in the lower eyelid, you might be experiencing a fairly regularly reported problem in that area. The skin there is usually pretty thin, and resorption of the fat is common. Although you might see a good result initially, uneven withering of the fat can lead to an unfavorable appearance and areas of firmness later - even months and years later. These changes can be especially noticeable as your weight fluctuates.
I'd recommend that you follow the advice...
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+3
Fat grafts are an excellent alternative to off-the-shelf fillers
Kung,
It is unclear from your question how long ago you had your fat grafting. If you are recently post-op, then what you are describing is normal since it is likely due to swelling and possibly deep bruising/hematomas. However, if you have long term lumps then you may have fat necrosis or excess fat injected. If you are concerned you should go back to your surgeon and they should be able to help you.
David Shafer, MD
New York City.
+3
Fat Grafting
Hi Kung Fu Geisha,
One of the great and amazing features of fat transfer when performed properly is that the fat takes on the characteristics of the tissue that it is implanted over. That is when over the soft tissue of the cheek, it feels soft; when over the bones of the cheek it feels hard like bone.
It is not normal to feel distinct hard lumps or masses after fat transfer. You should return to your surgeon for evaluation. Good luck and be well.
Dr. P
+3
Many Factors At Play
After Autologous Fat Transfer to the face, it is not unusual to have firmness in the area of injection that may persist for several weeks. The trauma of the injection through a large-gauge needle may stimulate an inflammatory response, as well as the possibility of some bleeding into the tissues during and after the injections were performed. Gentle massage and elevation of the affected areas seems to help. When your doctor allows it, you may benefit from a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory...
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Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+3
Depends on many factors such as timing
Fat transfer to the face can have hard areas that are felt soon after the procedure. There is usually a fair amount of swelling that can lead to this. If patients feel hard areas "like a rock" much later (months), then it could be that the fat has calcified and hardened. Usually this does not happen for a large area. Patients usually have very specific areas that are hardened due to calcification. Those areas will need to be closely evaluated. If it is very hardened fat (calcified), then an...
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Portland Plastic Surgeon
+2
Fat transfer
Some degree of hardness or firmness is very common after fat transfer. This is due to the expansion of the tissue as a result of fat injections. Also, post-operative sweeling contributes to this firmness. Most of this firmess should subside in upcoming weeks. By 6 weeks, the tissues should be much softer. Massaging obviously help.
+2
Firmness After Fat Grafts Is Normal
Some amount of firmness in the immediate postoperative period is normal after facial fat grafting. This should subside over time. If it does not, there are a couple of options include steroid injections or massage among others. I would suggest speaking with your surgeon to ensure that this is normal and not a cause for more concern.
+2
Hardness of Fat After a Fat Transfer
Hardness after a fat transfer of fat is normal for the first few weeks for my patients. I explain that the top 5 things they will complain of are as follows: my face feels tight, my face feels hard, my folds look worse, my lips look smaller, my face has gotten more swollen 2 days out, one side looks bigger, it is hard to smile normally, and my mouth feels like it is filled with cotton. i explain all of this should subside in the first few weeks after. below is a...
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+2
Hardness can come from a lot a causes.
The hardness and lumpiness can be the result of 1) dying fat cells. 2) swollen fat cells, 3) hematomas.
Regardless of the cause, it is important to be patient in the early post-procedure period. Return to you r doctor for further evaluation.
Fat is a wonderful natural filler with little downside.
+1
Hardness after facial grafts
An important missing information with your question is the time since your procedure. But certainly, massaging the area might be very beneficial and I don not see a downside to it.
+1
Fat Grafting
The hardness that you are feeling is due to swelling. This is quite normal after surgery. Do not massage the area. Not all of the fat cells survive and we don't expect them to. The grafted area will soften naturally with a little time. There is no need to do anything at this time.
+1
Hardness after fat grafting not uncommon
Some degree of short-term firmness and swelling is common after fat grafting and by itself should not be cause for alarm. Obviously you speak with your doctor for reassurance.
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